Georgian State Security Service detains Georgian citizen on espionage charges

As a result of counterintelligence measures carried out by the counterintelligence department of the Georgian state security service, one Georgian citizen has been detained on charges of espionage, specifically for collecting and transmitting information on the instructions of representatives of a foreign intelligence service.

Lasha Maghradze, the first deputy head of the State Security Service, noted that the detained individual was recruited by a foreign intelligence service and operated under a pseudonym.

“Evidence obtained in the criminal case establishes that the detained individual was recruited by a foreign intelligence service and was given a corresponding pseudonym. In exchange for financial compensation, the foreign intelligence officer instructed the Georgian citizen to gather different types of information against Georgia’s interests for the purpose of transferring it to the foreign intelligence service”, he said.

Maghradze further highlighted that the individual gathered data on the locations, resources, and operations of key law enforcement bodies, including the ministry of internal affairs of Georgia and the ministry of defence of Georgia, as well as the state security service itself.

“The investigation has determined that the individual arrested for espionage had been tasked with collecting information in Georgia in the following areas: information about the locations, forces, and resources of Georgia’s law enforcement bodies, as well as taking photo and video recordings of their deployment sites. Information about the location of strategic facilities in Georgia, including bridges, road and railway highways, and other types of infrastructure, along with photo and video documentation of these sites”, Maghradze noted.

The investigation further identified two more Georgian citizens involved in similar activities.

These individuals are currently outside the country and are expected to face charges in absentia.

“The counterintelligence department has also identified two other Georgian citizens involved in similar crimes. They were recruited by the same foreign intelligence service representatives and, in accordance with the assigned tasks, were collecting and transmitting various types of information harmful to Georgia’s interests. Given the specific nature of the case, extensive operational and investigative measures were conducted over a long period to thoroughly examine the details of the crime”, Maghradze said.

“As for the two other individuals mentioned above, who are currently outside Georgia, they will be charged in absentia under the same article. An international search for the fugitives will be announced through Interpol”, he concluded.